The Torque converter regulator valve has been redesigned to prevent over pressure and ballooning of the converter. This also regulates minimum converter charge for proper cooling and lubrication of the transmission gear set. This redesign eliminates the common problematic valve and bore ware that is usually the first cause of high mileage transmission failure.

 

The main pressure regulator circuit is modified to enable a broader range of pressure that can be commanded from the Co-Pilot. This allows the pump to lower line pressure when the engine is at low loads and more responsively raise pressure above stock to react with increased engine torque and horse power levels.

 

Next, we removed the plastic low sprag and replaced it with a metal clutch. Due to physical limitations inside the transmission, there is no way to make it physically larger. However, we bypass its use when paired with the Co-Pilot, thus eliminating failures between 1st and 2nd gear.

 

A common failure on the 68RFEs are cracked shaft hubs. Even with stock power, the hub can begin to crack near the point it meets the shaft. ATS reinforces this area to avoid torsional stresses that can cause catastrophic transmission failure. This is a standard on all ATS 68RFE packages.

 

Modified power or towing frequently can cause the rear planet pinions to loosen and cause catastrophic transmission failure. ATS reinforce the pinions to prevent any movement of the pins thus eliminating failure from the factory design.

 

For power levels over 400hp, the clutch packs need to be addressed. ATS built 68RFEs feature extensive machining to the pressure plates to add:

At this point, we needed to look at the valve body and build it around the ATS Co-Pilot features. The 68-RFE uses a non-synchronous, clutch-to-clutch design. This means that the shifts from gear to gear must be timed perfectly thereby releasing and applying a friction clutch to achieve a flawless shift. Because of the sensitivity of the hydraulic circuits, we heavily modified many areas of the valve body. Hydraulic oil flow is ported to certain clutch packs where additional pressure is needed. The accumulator piston seals have been redesigned to ensure hydraulic pressure integrity. The accumulator plate is made of high-grade material to compensate for the additional pressure that the accumulator pistons and springs exert during heavy power situations.

 

All ATS 68RFEs come with a deep pan. The pan adds extra fluid, features an aluminum-finned design, magnetic drain plug and is tapped for a temperature probe. One of its most important benefits is that it adds rigidity to the case. 68RFEs are known to have excessive case-flex, which results in a cracked bellhousing, tailshaft or main section. The ATS Deep pan eliminates flex and works towards avoiding a cracked case.